fixing A Broken Axleshaft What Now - spindle Nut Removal - Photo 05

If you wheel a late-model unitbearing-equipped Jeep without locking hubs, if you break a U-joint, inner or outer (stub) shaft, or your differential or ring-and-pinion are broken you are more likely to pop ball joints out of the knuckle while moving your Jeep to a good spot to work on it. If an axle U-joint is broken you’ll have to pull parts out to get off the trail. Here’s what to do. Start by pulling your centercap of the wheel (if you run ’em), put the wheel back on with at least a few lug nuts, and remove the cotter pin and lock ring. Now grab a 34mm socket and a big breaker bar. Once this nut is loose you can remove the wheel.